GERD

Tired of that burning sensation in your chest -- particularly at night?

Could your painful swallowing, nausea, heartburn be caused by Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?

If you experience a burning sensation in your chest, sometimes spreading to your throat, along with a sour taste in your mouth, difficulty swallowing, dry cough, regurgitation of food or sour liquid, it could be GERD (acid reflux). Many people suffering from GERD try antacids or prescriptions, which block the production of acid in the stomach and also protect the esophagus from damage. In addition to medication—eating smaller meals, sleeping on an incline and eliminating acidic foods from your diet may alleviate symptoms.

However, when medication and lifestyle changes are not providing relief—it may be time to consider surgical treatment. Heartland Regional Medical Group surgeons can perform surgical repair for GERD, and many times the procedures can be minimally invasive.